NEW DELHI, AUG 26 (PTI): India on Wednesday night sent the first tranche of relief supplies in a military transport aircraft to Nepal where flash floods along the country’s border with Tibet region killed at least 95 people and left a trail of destruction.
The relief materials were sent hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assured him of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.
“The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said on social media after the conversation.
“India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts,” he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) assistance to Nepal.
“Dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR assistance and essential medicines to support Nepal’s response to the devastating floods,” he said on X.
“Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected. In face of this challenge, India stands with Nepal and its people,” he added.
The relief supplies were sent on board the C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The aircraft took off for Kathmandu from Hindon airbase near Delhi around 8:35 pm.
According to latest reports, at least 95 people were killed and a few hundreds are missing following the flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border.
It is learnt that New Delhi will send more relief supplies in the next few days with another military transport aircraft expected to be sent to Kathmandu on Thursday morning.
